Five candidates for Tennessee governor met to discuss education issues on Tuesday in Nashville — the first 2018 gubernatorial forum broadcast on TV. But U.S. Rep. Diane Black, one of the most well-known candidates in the race, decided to go to a fundraiser instead.

Black declined to participate in the forum because of a scheduling conflict. According to an invitation obtained by the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee, she was attending a campaign reception at Southeast Venture, a development firm near 100 Oaks, that cost $250 per couple to attend and included hors d'oeuvres.

The Black campaign did not return repeated requests for comment on her schedule for the evening.

What else was the Republican congressman up to on Tuesday? Here are some clues from her campaign's Twitter account.

She tweeted from Giles County in the morning, where she visited the circuit court clerk.

Republican Randy Boyd takes a snap shot of the audiences before the start of the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee commissioner for education Candice McQueen talks with a guest at the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Tenn. Senator Bill Frist talks with a guest before during the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Belmont student David Cistrunk sings the national anthem during the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

The Tennessean's David Plazas and NewsChannel 5's Rory Johnston moderate the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

The Tennessean's David Plazas and NewsChannel 5's Rory Johnston moderate the Gubernatorial Forum on Education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

In the afternoon, she threw out some red meat for her conservative base. She blasted an edited version of "Saving Private Ryan" that removed men from the World War II epic.

It's hard to imagine a more out of touch display of identity politics. The real heroes were the brave Americans like my father who risked their lives fighting for our freedoms in WWII. #RealWWIIHeroeshttps://t.co/BPkTnkx8S3

The three Republican candidates at the forum declined to take shots at Black for not attending, instead referring inquires to the congressman's campaign.

Former state Sen. Mae Beavers was originally scheduled to attend the forum. But her mother recently died and Beavers was unable to attend.

"It is with much regret that I will not be able to be at the SCORE Gubernatorial debate tonight," Beavers said in a statement. "SCORE is focused on educational issues and you will not find a candidate more passionate about the education of all our children. My mother passed away this weekend and her funeral was today, and though I was looking forward to this debate, it is not possible to be with you tonight."